"dove"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Yonas
Does Yonas flow with your last name?
Ancient biblical name worn proudly across cultures
Ethiopian
Eritrean
Hebrew
Scandinavian
East African
Spiritual
Classic
International
Strong
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Yonas
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Yonas
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"peaceful, gentle"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Yonas
See all →What the Yonas report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Yonas the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Yonas
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Yonas head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Yonas actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Yonas
Yonas is the Geez (Ethiopian/Eritrean) and Amharic form of the biblical name Jonah (יוֹנָה), from the Hebrew word for dove. The prophet Jonahs story — of being swallowed by a great fish after fleeing Gods call, then emerging to preach in Nineveh — is one of the most famous in the Hebrew Bible and is shared by Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. In Ethiopia and Eritrea, where Christianity has deep roots going back to the 4th century, biblical names like Yonas have been in continuous use for over 1,600 years.
Yonas remains a common name in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and their diaspora communities worldwide. As East African communities have grown in Europe and North America, Yonas has become more visible internationally, appreciated for its strong biblical heritage and accessible pronunciation.
In Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Christian tradition, the prophet Jonah (Yonas) is venerated as a saint. The name carries particular resonance in the Ethiopian Tewahedo Church, one of the oldest Christian churches in the world. It also appears commonly among Scandinavians (as Jonas) and in other Christian cultures globally.
Historical Record
Yonas first appeared in US Social Security records in 1985.
Over 409 babies have been named Yonas in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Yonas is past its peak , currently ranked #6,210 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Yonas is the Amharic/Tigrinya form of Jonah, meaning the name has been in continuous use in Ethiopia and Eritrea since the 4th century AD
- The prophet Jonah/Yonas appears in the Hebrew Bible, Christian New Testament (referenced by Jesus), and the Quran (as Yunus)
- The dove symbol associated with Jonahs name is universally recognized across cultures as a symbol of peace and new beginnings
Yonas in Other Languages
Greek
Ιωνάς
Arabic
يونس
German
Jonas
Hebrew
יוֹנָה
Amharic
ዮናስ
Swedish
Jonas
Popularity Over Time
#6,210
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1991
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Yonas
Y
Yonas Kinde
Athlete
1978
Ethiopian-born Luxembourgish marathon runner and Olympic athlete who represented Luxembourg at the 2012 London Olympics
J
Jonah (biblical prophet)
Religious
Hebrew prophet whose story of surviving inside a great fish is told in the Book of Jonah; the name Yonas is the Ethiopia...
Hebrew prophet whose story of surviving inside a great fish is told in the Book of Jonah; the name Yonas is the Ethiopian form of Jonah
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Amarey
Boy
"strength, grace, given by God"
#6,389
Leiland
Boy
"meadow land, fallow land"
#6,392
Eldin
Boy
"noble friend, old friend"
#6,398
Osborne
Boy
"bear of the gods"
#6,375
Jadriel
Boy
"God's strength"
#6,134
Compare Yonas with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #6,210
- Total SSA Count
- 15
- Cultural Origins
- Ethiopian Eritrean Hebrew Scandinavian East African
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Yo
Yoni
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Yonas
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Yonas fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Yonas →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Yonas with...
Same Origin Names (Ethiopian)
See all Ethiopian names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Yonas
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Yonas and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Yonas sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Amarey
Boy
Amharic origin
"strength, grace, given by God"
#6,389 in US
Leiland
Boy
Old English origin
"meadow land, fallow land"
#6,392 in US
Eldin
Boy
Old English ald + wine origin
"noble friend, old friend"
#6,398 in US
Osborne
Boy
Norse origin
"bear of the gods"
#6,375 in US
Jadriel
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God's strength"
#6,134 in US
Kalev
Boy
Hebrew origin
"faithful as a dog"
#6,181 in US
Sadiel
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God is my joy"
#6,043 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Yonas's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yonas
What does the name Yonas mean?
"dove" (from Hebrew). "peaceful, gentle" (from Hebrew). Yonas is the Geez (Ethiopian/Eritrean) and Amharic form of the biblical name Jonah (יוֹנָה), from the Hebrew word for dove. The prophet Jonahs story — of being swallowed by a great fish after fleeing Gods call, then emerging to preach in Nineveh — is one of the most famous in the Hebrew Bible and is shared by Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. In Ethiopia and Eritrea, where Christianity has deep roots going back to the 4th century, biblical names like Yonas have been in continuous use for over 1,600 years.
What is the origin of the name Yonas?
Yonas has Hebrew, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Scandinavian, and East African origins. In Hebrew, it means "dove". In Hebrew, it means "peaceful, gentle".
Is Yonas a boy or girl name?
Yonas is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Yonas?
Yonas is currently ranked #6210 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Yonas?
Common nicknames for Yonas include Yoni.
What are good middle names for Yonas?
Popular middle name pairings include Yonas Emmanuel, Yonas Michael, Yonas Daniel, Yonas Alexander, Yonas James, Yonas Solomon, and Yonas Elias.
What are good sibling names for Yonas?
Names that pair well with Yonas as siblings include Dawit, Solomon, Elias, Mikael, Miriam, Hannah, Sarah, and Tigist.
How many syllables does Yonas have?
Yonas has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Yonas a common or rare name?
Yonas is an uncommon name, ranked #6210 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Yonas?
About the Name Yonas
Yonas is a boy name with Ethiopian, Eritrean, Hebrew, Scandinavian, and East African origins . The name means "dove" in Hebrew .
Yonas is currently ranked #6,210 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Yonas has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Yonas include Yo and Yoni. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Yonas include Yonatan, Yonah, Yonathan, Yona . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
Y
Names Starting with Y
More boy names like Yonas
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis